NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
The wait is over San Francisco 49ers fans. The NFL playoffs make their way to Santa Clara as a hot Green Bay Packers team comes to town. After sending the Cowboys home and their fans into a pit of misery they now face the NFC West champions for a shot to make the NFC Championship game. How will this well-rested Niners team come out? Expectations are high and rightfully so when you look at this roster and the rest of the field in the NFC. After what we saw last week a fast start is super important. Nothing would send shockwaves through the NFC then a solid big win and a trip to the place where the Super Bowl dream ended.
Silence The Haters:
With more experience under his belt and time to rest and study film, Brock Purdy steps onto the field after a season that once had him in MVP conversations. Purdy comes into his second playoff game with some solid numbers before it was cut short due to injury. With all his weapons suited up and ready to go this is a perfect setup to shine. With the weather looking to not be the best taking care of the ball is top of mind until the final whistle blows. It sounds corny but, in the playoffs, it is important to take what the defense gives you do not take unnecessary chances that hurt the team. That being said the Packers’ linebackers and secondary should be in a blender trying to keep up with crossing routes and the Niners quick game of screens and slants.
The Defense Comes To Ball:
We talked about it on this week’s episode of Moving The Chains who has the best defense left in the playoffs, while so said the Ravens I went with this 49ers unit. I see the matchup of Chase Young vs Rasheed Walker as one Young has to win and be a problem for the Packers. With Clelin Ferrell out Chase will be on the field more and have his shot to show why this trade was a homerun. Nick Bosa I fully expect to do what he does and be all over Jordan Love early and often. The Pack was able to run all over Dallas and its small front seven. Football 101 run game sets up the play-action pass. Aaron Jones is looking for his 5th straight game with over 100 yards and is the straw of the drink which is this Packers offense. So shutting it down is the first box to check off Fred Warner will look to set a tone and inspire his troops to fly around and make plays with a young QB under center. This is where you show why this was the 3rd ranked unit versus the run. Welcome back Arik Armstead and at the perfect time. Rush with discipline as the edge rushers have to keep Love in the pocket and bring pressure up the middle. Making it a game where Jordan Love has to throw the ball 30-plus times would be ideal. Sure, tackling and making running lanes disappear.
Touchdowns And Field Goals:
When they get into the red zone the result has to be points PERIOD. Mental mistakes or turnovers are killers to games and can send teams home. When you have a shot to get points on the board it must happen. Getting into a play-calling rhythm will help with this and find plays Kyle can stick away for later and go for the kill shot. Remember this is a young Packers team and they are on the road again in the elements.
Conclusion:
This is the Niners game to win. Green Bay will not fold and will be a tough challenge. I think that if the Niners get off to a good start and apply pressure on Love and this offense they move on. The first half could be a head banger but in the end, San Francisco just has too much talent and playing at home gives them an extra push. 27-17 Can not wait for this one to kick off. Looking forward to doing an NFC title game preview #NinerGang
See you Saturday night. #GBvsSF pic.twitter.com/iOPxvxrhFz
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 15, 2024
